Posted By:
Anthony-Santoli
Field Editor
10-12-2010 12:20
– – –
Good luck to everyone on opening weekend. Duck hunting should be good throughout the state with a semi-cool front coming from due North. Local Mallards are looking pretty good along with a lot of Green Wings present throughout the state at this time. Early migrants such as Pintails,Wigeons and Ring Necks should be making their way to our areas as well. Everyone be safe and shoot em up.
AS
Posted By:
Anthony-Santoli
Field Editor
10-07-2010 09:31
– – –
Well then, so much for that cold fron that came thru LAST WEEK. Looks like it is back to warm weather for a few days. There should be good amounts of both ducks and geese for the opener next week. The Lake Erie marsh region waterfowl counts jumped way up from the previous survey. Mallards, Greenwings make up the bulk, with some Ruddlers and Wigeon to fill in the gaps. Goose numbers seem to be building up not only in NW Ohio, but for most of the State as well. I am seeing groups of Geese each day now. From the MN and MI reporting centers, Woodies and Ringnecks have been building quite rapidly over the last several days so I believe that we shall see some of those as well. Our local Woodduck numbers are very very good this year, so the small streams and creeks should be teeming with them,,,yes I said teeming. Still no one has reported on any youth weekend outings, which doesn’t surprise me anymore with the number of posts on here these days. Once again as usual, if ya need any help or have any questions, ask away. I am on here every day during the week and will report in on every Monday fo the season. Good luck yadda yadda yadda
AS
Posted By:
Anthony-Santoli
Field Editor
10-04-2010 12:11
Cloudy, Snow & Rain Mix – 40-45 Degrees
Big cold blast out of the Northeast has settled in over the last few days. This is what you want the day before the opener. The crew was up in Sandusky yesterday checking on the blinds and getting some work done. Needless to say not much was done,,, 40MPH NE winds and driving rain. Water was very high (3 feet over normal).
I have witnessed a lot of Geeese flying around, small flocks, bigger flocks… hitting the rivers and cut cornfields. Haven’t seen as many ducks as the last 2 weeks,,,but I am sure they are around… probably just hiding out of the wind and rain for the time being.
Did anyone take any Youts out over the weekend,,,if so how was it for him/her?
Posted By:
Al-Faber
Field Editor
Central Ohio 09-23-2010 07:20
Sunny & Clear, Morning Fog – 60-65 Degrees
Fairly good opener for the Early Season. Shot 4 Teal and a Goose on opening day. 3 Teal the following day. Decent numbers this year, saw lots of other ducks as well.
Mallards, Blacks, and even Canvasbacks in the area.
Should make for a very exciting first split. Agree with Tony, weather will be key in pushing ducks our way!
Be safe, teach a youngster to hunt & respect the great outdoors…and pass on the hens…!
Posted By:
Anthony-Santoli
Field Editor
09-21-2010 07:39
– – –
The early teal season came and went once again. My group shot some geese early on, then concentrated on the little buzz rockets for the remainder. All in all, not bad… worked out the kinks, missed some birds and also shot several bluewings and some greenwings. I didn’t hunt the last weekend for Teal, but when that Northern front came rolling in for a few days, the teal came with it and then moved on soonafter. I am starting to see flocks of geese flying around along with other types of ducks. While teal hunting one day, a flock of wigeon must have migrated down with them early on. They were flying around the marsh in a V pattern; dipping and diving while landing only for a few moments at a time as if they did not know where to go next. The mallards and flying around very well now and there is also an abundance of woodies this year. I think we could be in for a good season all in all. Just remember new birds will migrate down right before and right after any type of front. If you are waiting for the large flocks of Northern Mallards and Black Ducks to arrive this year, you better hold your breath with the North Zone closing extremely early this year. Most other birds migrate on the lengths of day as of on a clock, so whent he weather begins to change and the winds shift, you should probably be out there because new birds will come with those changes. I’ll be scouting my properties in Southern Ohio this weekend and will get back to everyone upon my return.
AS
Posted By:
Al-Faber
Field Editor
Central Marsh Scouting 08-31-2010 12:11
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – Over 70 Degrees
HOT! Marshes are full of bugs; don’t forget your bug spray Saturday!!!!
Foliage is still mostly green and the water is warm. Birds moving a great deal at first light and dusk, but not much movement in-between. They like the shade and cooler areas.
Heavy grass is also a favorite, walked some thick areas and kicked up quite a few pairs.
Should be a good opener, especially for Canada Geese. Large water had good numbered flocks in coves.
Dove starts in the morning! Will be in the fields at 0430 to lock-down a spot.
2010 is off and running…..
Be safe, teach a youngster to hunt & respect the great outdoors…and pass on the hens…!
Posted By:
Al-Faber
Field Editor
Central Marsh Scouting 08-31-2010 12:11
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – Over 70 Degrees
HOT! Marshes are full of bugs; don’t forget your bug spray Saturday!!!!
Foliage is still mostly green and the water is warm. Birds moving a great deal at first light and dusk, but not much movement in-between. They like the shade and cooler areas.
Heavy grass is also a favorite, walked some thick areas and kicked up quite a few pairs.
Should be a good opener, especially for Canada Geese. Large water had good numbered flocks in coves.
Dove starts in the morning! Will be in the fields at 0430 to lock-down a spot.
2010 is off and running…..
Be safe, teach a youngster to hunt & respect the great outdoors…and pass on the hens…!
Posted By:
Anthony-Santoli
Field Editor
08-26-2010 06:49
Mostly Cloudy, No Precipitation – 60-65 Degrees
OKAY…LOTS OF RESPONSES ON THAT LAST ONE…Looks like me and Al will keep this going this year.
Anywho…. we have had a few small cool fronts with the dark high clouds come thru the past few days. Teal have been moving into the Erie marshes out west and I have noticed more and more doves each day with the cooler weather. It does not take much to move Blue Wings South,,,a cool wind and some dark clouds is all it takes to push them.
Posted By:
Anthony-Santoli
Field Editor
08-18-2010 09:06
– – –
What are your thoughts on the new season dates for the North Zone this year for the second split????
The first split ends Nov 14th this year,,,,1 week break and that’s it. The second season runs from Nov 20th-Dec 19th.
I suppose I am indifferent on the matter. November has been the best overall for the past 3 seasons up North…. but I have had all of the best black duck shoots right at the last few days at the end of each year. (not good Black ducks either,,,, I am talking the premier, full colored, size of geese adult Blacks) and flocks of them.
This also means that during deer gun week,,,,there is some of the best duck hunting of the season.
AS
Posted By:
Anthony-Santoli
Field Editor
07-22-2010 11:31
– – –
I headed up to my buddy’s boat in East Harbor yesterday for a fishing expedition, so on my way there I made my way thru some of the Erie marshes… there is a good amount of both ducks and geese. Lots of hens and little ones were swimming about. Water levels are up and the marshes are in beautiful conditions for being a hot summer.
